Welcome: Please Introduce Yourself

[ROCKETRAY55]

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vpkeenan wrote:
Hello, everybody. I've put off joining the Crime Club for far too long.

My name is Vince Keenan. Originally from New York, currently living in Seattle. My favorite crime writers are Lawrence Block, Donald E. Westlake, and Ross Thomas. I just finished reading Max Allan Collins' Deadly Beloved -- after lo these many months, I finally won an ARC of a Hard Case Crime book! -- and am currently reading Park Avenue Tramp by Fletcher Flora, recently reprinted in the Stark House Press book A Trio of Gold Medals. I will also be dipping into The Black Lizard Big Book of Pulps, conceivably for the rest of my life. Have you seen the size of that thing?

Looking forward to all the conversation.

Best,

Vince Keenan

http://www.vincekeenan.com

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Vince it is nice to see someone else that is reading The Black Lizard Big Book of Pulps, and yes this book is truly Big. I have a feeling that I will be reading this one in sections.

-Ray

[Paul_Hochman]

Don't tell Mr. Penzler but I actually cut my galley into three pieces so I could read it on the subway with relative ease

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ROCKETRAY55 wrote:

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vpkeenan wrote:
Hello, everybody. I've put off joining the Crime Club for far too long.

My name is Vince Keenan. Originally from New York, currently living in Seattle. My favorite crime writers are Lawrence Block, Donald E. Westlake, and Ross Thomas. I just finished reading Max Allan Collins' Deadly Beloved -- after lo these many months, I finally won an ARC of a Hard Case Crime book! -- and am currently reading Park Avenue Tramp by Fletcher Flora, recently reprinted in the Stark House Press book A Trio of Gold Medals. I will also be dipping into The Black Lizard Big Book of Pulps, conceivably for the rest of my life. Have you seen the size of that thing?

Looking forward to all the conversation.

Best,

Vince Keenan

http://www.vincekeenan.com

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Vince it is nice to see someone else that is reading The Black Lizard Big Book of Pulps, and yes this book is truly Big. I have a feeling that I will be reading this one in sections.

-Ray

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[ROCKETRAY55]

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PaulH wrote:
Don't tell Mr. Penzler but I actually cut my galley into three pieces so I could read it on the subway with relative ease

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ROCKETRAY55 wrote:

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vpkeenan wrote:
Hello, everybody. I've put off joining the Crime Club for far too long.

My name is Vince Keenan. Originally from New York, currently living in Seattle. My favorite crime writers are Lawrence Block, Donald E. Westlake, and Ross Thomas. I just finished reading Max Allan Collins' Deadly Beloved -- after lo these many months, I finally won an ARC of a Hard Case Crime book! -- and am currently reading Park Avenue Tramp by Fletcher Flora, recently reprinted in the Stark House Press book A Trio of Gold Medals. I will also be dipping into The Black Lizard Big Book of Pulps, conceivably for the rest of my life. Have you seen the size of that thing?

Looking forward to all the conversation.

Best,

Vince Keenan

http://www.vincekeenan.com

---

Vince it is nice to see someone else that is reading The Black Lizard Big Book of Pulps, and yes this book is truly Big. I have a feeling that I will be reading this one in sections.

-Ray

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You know Paul, I thought about cutting into thirds myself. But I decided to get a workout while I read!

-Ray

[Paul_Hochman]

That's using your head, Ray. A workout for both the body and the mind!

[Clete]

Hello All, My name is John though I go by Clete here. I'm joining late as I pick up my mail at the box about once every 4 - 6 weeks. I live in Lead, SD but am originally from Salt Lake City. Perhaps my favorite crime writer is James Lee Burke, especially his Robicheaux series. I particularly like how he shows the effects of violence upon the perpetrator as well as the victims and his language is vivid and wonderful. I also love Chandler and Dashiell Hammett. I'll stop there as the urge to add all the ones I love and like is getting strong.
I'm looking forward to this club.
John

[computerchick8…]

Hello from southern Louisiana. My name is JerryAnn. I am new to the B&N book clubs, although I have been reading mysteries and crime novels for over 25 years. My absolute favorite author is Sue Grafton. I love her and will be sad when she reaches the "Z" in the alphabet. I am currently reading "Dead Street" by Mickey Spillane.

[BrendanMcCall]

Hey folks,

I'm a more recent fan of crime fiction, and have my own column online at KGB's online magazine, Crime Corner. You can read my book reviews and interviews with authors like Charles Ardai, and soon Ken Bruen/Jason Starr, at kgbbarlit.com.

Listing one of my favorite authors in crime fiction is challenging, as there are so many outstanding writers that I love and admire. The Matthew Scudder series of Lawrence Block was the one that really 'baptized' me. Someone recommended "Eight Million Ways to Die" to me, as I was travelling out of town. They thought it would be a good read on the plane. By the time I returned from the trip, I had read the entire series once, all the while working full-time.

Recently, I finished James Ellroy's "White Jazz," which I found to be an intense departure, in terms of writing, from the dark effluvium of "The Black Dahlia." I am currently reading Ian Rankin's "Tooth and Nail," within the Inspector Rebus series, and am going to read "Mystery" next by my friend Peter Straub.

[CharlesArdai]

Hi, Brendan --

Good to have you here!

--Charles

[max_payne]

Hey all!

I have been addicted to crime related literature for the past 2 years. Though have only been reading Hard Case for roughly 3 months.

I love Lawrence Block (my favorite!), Ed Brubaker, Greg Rucka, Max Allan Collins, etc...

I am currently reading Mickey Spillanes THE BIG KILL.

Is it me or does PI Mike Hammer remind you of The Dark Night...The Batman. Hammer always references NY as "my town". He also has a true passion for justice. Big difference is Hammer will kill you in a hearbeat. Batman just brings ya in.

Message Edited by max_payne on 12-15-2007 10:33 PM

[CharlesArdai]

While there are (obviously) many differences between Batman and Mike Hammer, I think it's fair to say that Hammer has a bit of a comic-book sensibility to him -- he's larger than life, certainly, and violent in a way that no real person could be and get away with. Spillane originally came up with the idea for Hammer as a comic book character, and in fact wrote comics before he wrote novels. Max Allan Collins, who finished DEAD STREET after Spillane's death, also has a background in comics -- including writing for Batman -- and he's the one who's now completing Spillane's final three unpublished Hammer novels. So it all does fit together, in a strange way.

--Charles

[max_payne]

I have a batman comic by Collins. I forget the name of it though. I knew he had a go with comics and is a comic lover.
Didnt know Spillane was in comics. Mike Hammer would be such a good comic character!! Wish it could of been...
Someone should bust out a mini-series. 5 issue entitled "Hammer it".

Nice ring to it, eh?

[MisterE]

I'm from Maryland and just found this Board, thanks to the blog on EQMM. I have been reading mysteries for more than 50 years, starting with Ellery Queen Jr., and progressing to Rex Stout, Ellery Queen, Hugh Pentecost and EQMM. I'm now into pulps as well as Donald Westlake, Michael Connolly, Bill Pronzini and many, many others. I just finished Scavanger, a wonderful book by Tom Savage.

[Paul_Hochman]

Welcome aboard, MisterE!

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MisterE wrote:
I'm from Maryland and just found this Board, thanks to the blog on EQMM. I have been reading mysteries for more than 50 years, starting with Ellery Queen Jr., and progressing to Rex Stout, Ellery Queen, Hugh Pentecost and EQMM. I'm now into pulps as well as Donald Westlake, Michael Connolly, Bill Pronzini and many, many others. I just finished Scavanger, a wonderful book by Tom Savage.

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[Mike-Reflectio…]

I earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Arts degree from Barry University in Miami, Florida.

I worked as a patrolman, a detective and as a supervisor for the City of Miami Police Department for twenty-two years, thirteen of which were spent as an undercover detective in the REAL Miami Vice where I worked everything from Narcotics & Vice, Prostitution, Gambling and Pornography, to Dignitary Protection of President Jose Napoleon Duarte (of El Salvador) and Pope John Paul II.

After I retired, I pursued writing full-time and have written screenplays, plays and numerous short stories, including a new book (Reflections from the Pit) about various police experiences in "the Pit": a notorious crime-infested ghetto in downtown Miami.

My favorite crime writers are: Joseph Wambaugh, Elmore Leonard and James Ellroy. I am currently reading "Hit Parade" by Lawrence Block.

Michael Berish
www.realmiamivice.com

Message Edited by Mike-Reflections on 12-29-2007 11:34 AM

Message Edited by Mike-Reflections on 12-29-2007 11:40 AM

[CharlesArdai]

Hi, Mike -- welcome to the list.

If you find yourself enjoying HIT PARADE, you'll want to keep your eye out for the forthcoming fourth book in Block's Keller series, HIT AND RUN. It'll be published around the middle of next year.

And if you want more killer-for-hire fiction in the meantime, you could try Max Allan Collins' THE LAST QUARRY, which we published last year. (Or any of the earlier Quarry novels -- but THE LAST QUARRY is the only one currently in print, I believe.)

--Charles

[Judi2]

Hi

I've been here before. Since then I've broken my right elbow 2 wks before Xmas
That slowed me down to read "Confession" by Dominic Stansberry. Excellent book for someone on pain killers. lol I recommend the book even without painkillers !!

I see Christa Faust has a book coming out which I will buy. Are there any other female writers inthis genre anyone recommends.

I must stop now as one handed (really one finger) typing makes me impatient. grin

Happy New Year

Judith

Message Edited by Judi2 on 12-31-2007 08:12 PM

[CharlesArdai]

Sorry to hear about your arm, Judith -- I hope it heals quickly and well.

There are plenty of other female writers worth reading; you'll find some named in another thread on this list, but three that I recall being mentioned include Megan Abbott, Vicki Hendricks, Alison Gaylin. You can't go wrong with any of those three.

--Charles

[Bingeaux]

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PaulH wrote:
Hello All,

Your moderators -- Charles, Peter, & Paul -- would like to extend a hearty welcome to the Crime Club! Please take a minute to introduce yourself. Where do you hail from? Who is your favorite crime writer? What are you currently reading?

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Hi, My name is Melinda but I go by Bingeaux. I lived in New Orleans for 21 years before I moved back home in Tennessee. James Lee Burke is one of my favorite authors. Tin Roof Blow Down, his latest was really good. His daughter, Alafair is also a good mystery writer. I tend to discover an author and get all that I can find and read until I have read everything. I am a psychiatric nurse and read some of everything but Sci Fi but I am a voracious mystery reader. I, also love Bloch
Bingeaux

[Paul_Hochman]

Good to have you here, Bingeaux.

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Bingeaux wrote:

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PaulH wrote:
Hello All,

Your moderators -- Charles, Peter, & Paul -- would like to extend a hearty welcome to the Crime Club! Please take a minute to introduce yourself. Where do you hail from? Who is your favorite crime writer? What are you currently reading?

---

Hi, My name is Melinda but I go by Bingeaux. I lived in New Orleans for 21 years before I moved back home in Tennessee. James Lee Burke is one of my favorite authors. Tin Roof Blow Down, his latest was really good. His daughter, Alafair is also a good mystery writer. I tend to discover an author and get all that I can find and read until I have read everything. I am a psychiatric nurse and read some of everything but Sci Fi but I am a voracious mystery reader. I, also love Bloch
Bingeaux

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[jp1025]

Hi all,

My name is John, but on this site I'm going by jp1025, and I'm a huge fan of the crime fiction genre ever since I was a kid. I'll tell you guys a quick story: It's the winter of 1985 and I'm on spring break from college (Fordham University). Anyway, I'm on my way to Florida and there's a scheduled layover in Atlanta, but there's an ice storm, so we get delayed like 14 hours. I go into the gift shop and find a copy of Elmore Leonard's LABRAVA, brand new in paperback. I read it cover to cover by the time our plane finally took off, and I've been a "Dutch" fan ever since. I'm also a big fan of Charles Willeford, Carl Hiaasen, Donald E. Westlake, Laurence Shames, Tim Dorsey, et al...I really love the Florida and New York settings the best. The atmosphere of both locations really lend themselves to the authenticity of the work.